Jury at Boden Umpherville inquest recommends body cams, improved training

A six-person jury at the Boden Umpherville coroner’s inquest in Prince Albert is recommending mandatory use of body cameras for all members of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) and when a medical emergency team is on site, at least one paramedic needs to stay with the person in need of medical care.

Read more:

• Police body-worn cameras a key theme at Prince Albert coroner’s inquest
• Boden Umpherville wanted to change, says family at inquest
• Coroner’s inquest hears from first police officer at scene of Umpherville’s arrest

These were among four recommendations resulting from the week-long inquest that featured 19 witnesses including police officers, experts and the women who were in the car that was initially pulled over in an alley on April 1, 2023.

The other recommendations from the jury were during any traffic stop to have the vehicle turned off and keys removed; and improved training of different types of asphyxias and how to avoid/prevent them.

PAPS provided a statement after the inquest saying the service understood the significance of the inquest for those most closely affected.

“The service will review the recommendations and consider any appropriate next steps,” the statement said.

Case background

At the time of the incident, police had stopped a black Dodge Avenger while investigating a report of a stolen car and found Boden Umpherville in the front passenger seat. Officers attempted to arrest him on outstanding warrants.

Umpherville braced himself inside the vehicle, resisted arrest and a physical struggle that lasted nearly 20 minutes followed. During that time, Umpherville was hit with conducted energy weapons multiple times, struck with a baton and exposed to at least one burst of pepper spray.

After removing Umpherville from the vehicle, officers placed him on the ground. A search of his person found a loaded handgun and a small folding knife.

While officers were handcuffing Umpherville, paramedics were called and arrived about five minutes later, and within two minutes were at his side assessing vitals. Because of Umpherville’s level of aggression and resistance, a decision was made to strap him to a stretcher before taking him to hospital.

Moments after being placed on the stretcher, he stopped breathing and had no pulse.

Paramedics and hospital staff restored both, and Umpherville spent another three weeks in hospital on life support before he died.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) was called in to review the conduct of police, including the circumstances surrounding Umpherville’s arrest and the cause of his injuries. Nearly two years later, SIRT released a report that concluded police did not commit any criminal offences and the use of force was appropriate.

According to the SIRT findings, Umpherville’s cause of death was cardiac arrest brought on by positional asphyxia and cocaine intoxication. The report said the involvement of a conducted energy weapon was a possible, but unlikely, contributing factor.

The case has remained one of Prince Albert’s most closely watched local stories since 2023, prompting public protests, family advocacy and broader conversations about policing, transparency and accountability.

Peter Abrametz represented the Umpherville family and acknowledged for reporters he was concerned by the gaps in the stories shared by the officers.

In addition to varying opinions whether Umpherville was face down or lying in a recovery position on the ground, officers also had trouble recalling where they were positioned while handcuffing Umpherville and whether anyone heard Umpherville cry for help or state he could not breathe.

— with files from CJME News

Read more:

• Police body-worn cameras a key theme at Prince Albert coroner’s inquest
• Boden Umpherville wanted to change, says family at inquest
• Coroner’s inquest hears from first police officer at scene of Umpherville’s arrest